For thousands of years, humans have relied on goods manufactured from metal. Our everyday lives have been and still are shaped by metal. The way we eat, sleep, and even the way we breathe is enhanced by or enabled by metal. Various metal materials make…
It was expedited sheet metal fabrication at it’s finest when Rapid Axis was asked by a NASA department head to assist in an emergency order of engine covers for NASA’s Europa Clipper propulsion units. Project lead time was of paramount urgency while the propulsion units…
By Ben Carlson The aerospace industry has big plans for defense and space exploration and is continuing to promote long-term investment in the industry. Machining and sheet metal needs are still active in the sector, and Rapid Axis is at the forefront of development and…
Photo by Anton Mislawsky from Pexels By Ben Carlson 2019 hailed in another record year for industrial robots with growth remaining positive over the last 8 years, (2010-2018). In a report from the International Federation of Robotics[1], it shows a robust automation and robotics industry globally. Segmentally, the…
A discussion of the manufacturing industry is never complete without mentioning Henry Ford and his assembly line. Henry Ford had once said, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black.” One driving factor behind the…
To a layperson, the features, components, and design considerations of manufactured goods are often insignificant. A technologically literate person will analyze a product, see its face value, and understand how and why it was manufactured. Just as the infamous industrial designer, Charles Eames, once said,…
By Ben Carlson Cooperative product manufacturing in the electric vehicle space is set to dominate global markets in 2020, with an increase in production across all major producers. Rapid Axis is a prototyping specialty manufacturer in Redwood City, California and supports multiple EV companies’ prototyping…
Rapid Axis has been serving the Medical Device component manufacturing industry for some time both in prototyping and short-run production. We felt it was time to put together a short-list of Bio-Compatible (USP Class VI) and EtO sterilizable materials for ease of access by our…
Machined and Sheet Metal Part Cosmetics If you’re looking for cosmetic appearance similar to that of an existing product, please email [email protected] and we’d be happy to make our recommendations. Most commonly used commercial products utilize simple finishing methods to obtain their cosmetics and these…
Dependent on your product you may occasionally have a need for clear parts. Rapid Axis has got you covered! We can build clear pieces in several prototype processes including Machining, SLA and Polyjet. CNC - Material options include Acrylic, Polycarbonate and Polysulfone. Acrylic: A UV…
Automation improves machining costs every year for even the most complex parts but there are still correlations between piece design and machine or programming run time which can affect your overall part prices. If you have a piece that us or any one of our…
You have a project on your desk for a plastic enclosure and the product for which it's a part of is going to market. The thought of 3D Printing it comes to mind but the cosmetic requirements are strict. What's your best option? Urethane Casting…